Adjustable measure



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES IV. SAMPSON, OF DANVILLE, VIRGINIA.

ADJUSTABLE MEASURE.

l SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 416,378, dated December 3, 1889.

Y Application filed March 14, 1889. Serial No. 303,342.A (No model.) l

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. SAMPsoN,

residing at Danville,in the county of Pittsyl- Vania and State of Virginia, have invented cermeasures g and it has for its object to provide a measure having a movable bottom, which can be quickly adjusted so as to measure different` Y f series of lateral notches a', having lower exquantities, such as peaks, half-pecks, &c.

My invention consists in certain novel features oi' construction and peculiar combination of parts, as will hereinafter be fully de-v measure." Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same on the line 2 2, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a detail View in perspective, showing one of the vertical notched guide and supporting plates. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of a modification; and Fig. 5 is a cross-section of the same on the line 5 5, Fig. 4.

In carrying out my invention I provide the bodyAof the measure with a series of notches or depressions adapted to en gage with a series of projections on the movable bottom B. In arranging the said projections on the bottom I prefer to connect them therewith, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, or I may arrange them as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

By the construction set forth in Figs. 4 and 5, I arrange the depressions a a in a series, and each series in the same horizontal plane, and provide the lower face of the bottom with projecting arms b b, which are arranged to be drawn from contact with the depressions by means of a push-rod, which is spring-actuated to normally force said arms into the depressions. The spring l is disposed about the upper end of the push-rod 2 and connects with the upper end of the rod 2, its lower end resting on the upper side of the bottom B, thereby forcing said rod normally upward. C denotes a hollow knob iitted over the upper end o f the rod 2 and the spring. 4 4 are links pivotally connected at one end to the pushrod and at their outer ends to the projecting arms b b, as shown. By pressing upon the knob C the rod 2 will be forced downward, thereby pulling the arms b b out of thejdepressions a a, and permitting the bottom to be moved up or down, as may be desired.

By the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 a series of vertical plates D are provided, which are secured upon the inner face of the body A, and are each provided with a central vertical slot d; which communicates with a tended portions a2 a2. I also provide one of the vertical edges of said plates with notches a3 a3, which engage with locking-gates secured upon the bottom B, for a purpose presently described.

When the vertical plates D are employed, I provide the bottom with recesses or cut-away portions b2 in the peripheral edge thereof, said recesses being of a sli ghtly-greater width than the plates D.

E E denote crossed rods or bars fixedly secured upon the under side of the bottom B, the outer ends extended, forming the proj ections b I), which engage the notches a a o the plate D.

In itting the bottom within the body, the same is inserted therein from the bottom, the projecting arms b itting the central slot d, the recesses b2 embracing the plates D. The said bottom is then pulled upward to the desired height, (a knob C being provided for conveniently handling the bottom,) the same is then given a slight turn to the right, (see arrow, Fig. 1,) which will cause the projections b ZJ to engage the notches a a', and by releasing the hold on the knob the projections b b will become seated in the lower portion CL2 a2 of the notches, and be thereby prevented from horizontal movement.

To form an additional rest for the bottom when adjusted in place, I provide the edge d2 of the plates D with elongated notches d3, with which engage the edges b3 of the bottom, as clearly shown in the drawings.

It will be seen that when the bottom is adjusted in place, as just described, an opening g will be left between one side of each of the vertical plates D and the edges b4 of the recesses b2. To prevent any of the material boing measured from passing through the said openings, and also to provide a con venient lneans forlocking the bottom in place, I provide locking-gates F F, which are clearly illustrated in Fig. Said gates are pivoted, as at f, to the upper face of the bottom, and are each provided with projections f and f2, one of which f engages the slot d, and the other f2 the notch a3 when they are swung in their locked position. Their outer ends f2 are extended and form covers for the opening g, as shown.

When it is desired to change the measure, say from a half-peck to a peck, (the bottom being in its central position, as shown in the drawings,) the gates are swung back to the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. l. The bottom is then slightly raised, so as to bring the arms b in line with the slots which con neet the notches a with the vertical slot d. The bottom is then given a slight turn to the left (sce dotted arrow, Fig. l) until the arms register with the slot d. It is then lowered to the proper depth and again adjusted to the lower set of notches in a manner previously described.

To keep the bottom from becoming' detached after being once fitted within the body, I close the lower end of the slot d, as shown.

I do not contine myself to the exact construction set forth for adj nsting the bottom within the body of the measure, as that may be accomplished in various ways without depart-ing from my invention.

From the foregoing it will be seen that my invention is exceedingly simple, inexpensive, and produces a measure the advantages of which will be readily .appreciated by the grocery trade.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isil. The combination, with the body A, having a series of vertical plates D, provided with'lateral notches, of the bottom l5, provided with recessed portions embracing said plates, one edge of said recessed portions adapted to engage the notches when the bottom is turned horizontally, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination, with the body A and the vertical plates D, provided with lateral notches (Z3 a3 in their edges, of the bottom B, provided with recessed portions h2, adapted to embrace and fit over the plates D, said recesses b2 being of a greater width than the plates D, the edges b of the bottom adapted to engage the notches d'3 of the plate when turned in place, and locking-gates pivoted on the bottom, adapted to close the open portions of the recesses and engage the notches a3 in the plate, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. The combination, with the body A, the Vertical plates D, having each' a central slot, and lateral notches a', ,communicating with said slots, said notches"`provided with a depending portion, of the bottom B, provided with lateral projections, said projections arranged to engage the vertical slots during the vertical movement of the bottom, and adapted to engage the lateral notches a when the said bottom is turned in place, substantially as shown and described.

CHARLES W. SAMPSON. lVitiiesses:

W. W. KEEN, F. E. HUMPHREYs. 

